Lesson 3 of 10
🌿 Plants & What They Need
What You'll Learn
- Name the 4 things plants need to survive
- Understand photosynthesis in simple terms
- Observe how changing inputs affects plant growth
What Do Plants Need?
Plants are amazing — they make their own food! They need four things to survive and grow:
- ☀ Sunlight — energy source for making food
- 💧 Water — absorbed through roots; carries nutrients
- 🌿 Soil / Nutrients — minerals like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
- 🏭 Carbon dioxide (CO₂) — absorbed through tiny pores called stomata
Photosynthesis
Plants use sunlight to convert water and CO₂ into sugar (glucose) and oxygen. This process is called photosynthesis:
CO₂ + H₂O + ☀ Sunlight → Glucose + O₂
The oxygen plants release is the oxygen we breathe. Plants and animals depend on each other!
🔬 Virtual Lab: Plant Growth Simulator
Adjust sunlight, water, and soil nutrients. Watch the plant grow (or struggle!) in real time.
☀ Sunlight 50%
💧 Water 50%
🌿 Soil Nutrients 50%
Quick Check
What gas do plants absorb during photosynthesis?
What do plants produce as a by-product of photosynthesis that animals need?